After expressing my thoughts in my last post, I wanted to share the rest of the session. While I was particularly drawn to the images that I shared before, and want to work with people who also appreciate and value that type of photography, I have many other favorites from our time together.
“Not looking” can make a shot really unique and personal. However, getting them to look at you can be a special kind of challenge, and therefore, a special kind of satisfaction. What I personally want to fight against is the idea that if one or more people aren’t making a pleasant face at the photographer, if the photo is imperfect in some way, that means the photo isn’t worthy of framing or sharing or loving. Those are usually my favorite and the most important to me down the road. Even if a child is having a crap day – well, okay then – we all have crap days. That is what is honest. That is what is unique about them. That is the very reason for freezing your family at any moment in time, in my eyes. More so, a thousand TIMES more so, than the image with everyone looking with a perfect face into the camera.
I get it. Grandma wants that one for her fridge. So I take it, and I give it. Always.
My purpose is to show you what your love looks like, and how the world sees you – and have fun doing it. That can only come with a much fuller picture of who you are.
*
Back to this rad family:
We explored The High Line and then got some cupcakes. The kids had a great time despite the weather. It was a gloomy day with sporatic raindrops and really cold wind. Not my typical conditions, but I actually loved the dark grittiness of it. It was good to have a change of pace and good to stretch myself.
At the end of our session, we asked this taxi driver if we could take a photo by his car. He was sooo into it, as you can see, he even let Dad get in the driver’s seat. Such a kind, friendly man. This was a particular treat for their oldest daughter, who LOVES cars, especially taxis.
Later that day, I got this text from Mom: “Ella just said – wait – Tara is a photographer? I thought she was just our new friend!”
And that – means EVERYTHING.
-Tara
(This is the second time I have been able to meet up with them, only the first time there were only three of them, and it was in San Francisco.)
your style has grown, changed, evolved (it’s a compliment) a lot since your last session with them : )
And I really, really REALLY agree with you. Everyone (or most everyone) looking at the camera is nice and yes you always gotta get those shots. But, I love when a family is open to the idea of silly, we have frosting on our noses, the wind blew her hair and mom spontaneously laughed out loud moments that are little doorways into what makes us, families, so wonderful!
Great session…I’ve always wanted to go to high line park!
it’s really odd to see you shoot in NY. your photos are always so full of sun, sand and sea…. but it’s nice.
Oh my goodness I love these all!! I totally agree on “the shot” where everyone is looking and smiling – a must take but almost never (if ever) my favorite. And in case you didn’t already know – Paul and Amelia definitely think of you as friend not photographer as well :)
real and honest moments are always better and my favorites! LOVE the first shot of them at the table in the cupcake shop!!
Don’t stop!
Sigh. Love these and can’t wait until it’s our little family. xoxo
Wow. that looks like it was a super fun day and despite the grey day, you created some really memorable moments for this family. Love it!
Gosh. These are great. Just great. You will photograph my family one day. One day. I don’t know when, but I want it to happen. One day!
My fav…the black/white of them kissing!! That would be blown up super huge and framed!
“My purpose is to show you what your love looks like, and how the world sees you – and have fun doing it. That can only come with a much fuller picture of who you are.”
Right on! :) Beautiful session of a great family in a fantastic city.
Well said. and I am encouraged to know that you get that too, I never would have known looking at your work. But thats what I love so much about all your stuff. So honest.
I had to refresh the page 2 times to view this page for some reason, however, the photo here was worth the wait.They’re awesome!
That is the sweetest thing said by Ella :)
Best compliment I’ve ever heard to a photographer!!!
yes and yes and yes. i think the frustrating thing for someone who is just starting out is that people use you because they KNOW you and not necessarily because they dig your style. so, you have them asking for things that are totally NOT who you are as a photographer. i have nothing against everyone smiling at the camera or a very specific pose- i just don’t necessarily want to be the one taking that photo.
i also try to get ONE for grandma, but the rest of it- it’s not really my thing.
getting to the point, though, where clients choose you because it’s also not really their thing, either. that’s the trick. finding the right clients for the right photographer…
anyway, what this rambling comment is getting to is thank you for expressing exactly how i feel. and reminding me that other people get it, too.
“My purpose is to show you what your love looks like, and how the world sees you – and have fun doing it.” I’ve already said this to you personally, but thank you again for doing exactly this with my little family Tara.
So well said. Love the images – I’m sure the family loves them too!!
beautifully fun session :) made me smile
Beautiful words and beautiful session!!!
so many amazing images. such a sweet family!! — also: ella’s thoughts? perfect. i love that about you (– er, what I’ve heard about you being that way)!
this…is life. the sweet little girl’s comment conveys the scope of what you do. capture the vision but, more magically, the soul. you create a world, and serve theirs back to them in all it’s lovely truth. new york suits your style – the lines, the angles, the action, the music, the many dances. cool watching this loving dance play out. great stuff.
The close-ups of the kids are perfection. x
Ella’s lovely comment is such a gift. Treasure it!
Look at those big brown peepers! And Tara, I love everything you have to say in these past two posts about the art of “not looking”. Thanks for putting those words out there–such a beautiful reminder.
love your thoughts and ella’s comment. reminds me of one of my favorite clients who recently moved to Hawaii. upon having their first photo session with a different photographer, their young daughter asked “why does he keep telling us to say cheese.. i thought we were just here to play!” made me feel SO good to have made an impression on the little ones :)
Okay so I kind of feel like one of those people who calls into their favorite radio station for the first time.. “Long time listener (watcher/reader), first time caller (commenter).” ha! ;) Anyway I just wanted to say your post really spoke to me today and I so totally agree. I’ve personally spent a long time trying to find my own voice within my artwork and have found myself really drawn to the art of photojournalism and fine art so that’s typically what I show to clients in hopes that I’ll attract people who love what I love.. I love grain and blur to create a feeling of motion, I love leaving a dark image dark with little crests of light to create a feeling of moodiness, I love an image of people where they are interacting with each other or maybe even a little with the camera to create a feeling of connection.. but I also totally get that there is something so special about taking a nice portrait of everyone looking, and not just looking at you but the kind where you’re able to look within them if you know what I mean. You know when you take a portrait of someone and you can just totally see ‘them?’ That moment when they feel totally relaxed and comfortable, and you capture that something in their eyes that really shows who they are. I don’t know, sounds silly but it doesn’t always happen, which I think comes from the art of knowing how to make people feel comfortable and the art of waiting for that moment, even if it’s a posed one. Okay now I’m just rambling.. point is, thank you for articulating in the best way possible why it’s important to cherish every kind of photo.. those that capture who a person or family is on the inside and those that capture what a person or family looks like on the outside because let’s face it, while a nice portrait is really enjoyable to look at now, the other kinds of photographs are the ones that are beyond-words-heart-melting-enjoyable years later. Thanks for sharing xoxo
Love what you said. And what you captured. And totally agree. Have a good one.
It’s funny you should post this, I was looking through my kids photos, and the “imperfect” ones are always my favorite. I have a photo that I plan to blow up, and it’s blurry, but I love that my son and daughter are laughing and she was trying to hold him on her lap, but he was trying to bolt and in the middle of the laughter he got away and I love that shot! I agree they don’t always have to be looking, and sometimes they look more relaxed then when you want them to sit still and smile. I love life photography, I love that you take the time to follow the family and hang out and just shoot what happens in their day, because that is what life is about, all the in betweens.
That’s just about the best compliment I’ve ever heard!
you always say it so well :)
the high line, billy’s, chelsea. all on my favorite things of all time list. what a beautiful session tara.
Can you come to Utah and explain this to people here? I struggle with the matching outfits and perfect hair. I even had a lady once pay a company to photoshop her dog looking at the camera. Cracking me up. Hahaha. Thanks for your thoughts. :)
Thank you so much for this post! It has got me thinking, about “not looking”. I cringe thinking of how many pictures I’ve tossed just because someone wasn’t looking. Love it! A new way to grow! Thanks again for sharing your photographer’s heart.
Oh….I love ella’s comment! Loved reading every word of this post. Fabulous!
100% Agree! I always get the “Grandparent” shots out of the way first…then I let ’em roll. The biggest compliment, such as “I thought she was just a new friend”, is “you totally captured my kids the way they really are.” Job done. Check!
Especially loved this session…everyday in the city. They will treasure them for generations to come.
Just stumbled upon your blog and was struck by how much the youngest little girl in the first shot looks like my little one and the fact that she is not looking reminded me of the struggle I had to get her in front of the camera for our Christmas Card photo, never mind looking and smiling. Then I read your words and they rang so true – I used a ‘not looking’ photo for our card because it was all I was going to get and now I love how it reflects the way my girls are this year. Love all your photos – let me know if you want to come and shoot in Paris!!!
It is nice to read your words at this Christmas card time of year. Love what you said. Love your work… looking or not. :)
I love this! I do a few sessions occasionaly. I’m not a full time photographer, however, I love doing exactly this…taking a moment and freezing of a family. Relationships, good and bad, eyerolls, spontaneous hugs…all those things that draw people together and make them a unit. I love that part of it!
I really love the photo of them at the table eating the cupcakes with the mom reaching over to fix her daughter’s hair. All of your photos are gorgeous but that one left a mark on me. It soooooo means family…what it looks like…what “they” ARE like. :)
TY for letting us see all of these!!!!!!
“My purpose is to show you what your love looks like…”. Thank you–not only does that perfectly describe your photos, but I also want that to be my goal every day. To actually see what my love, the love of my family, and the love of those around me really looks like. Thank you!
love your philosophy. your approach to capturing a family as-they-are, always shows through in your photos. i feel like you always capture the true warmth and connection of a family, not just their appearance. love this session!
mmm LOVE. you are the b.e.s.t :)
I just wanted to take the time to let you know that I admire your work. I like to look at other photographer’s work, and I feel that you really capture the moment…no “rules” involved, just letting your subjects be…THEMSELVES! Thank you!
What a perfect NYC session! Chelsea + The Highline + Billy’s Bakery=Awesomeness
Wow, you’re photography is inspiring, beautiful and honest! I love it! But what I love is what you say above about capturing the honest moments!
Wow, I almost just can’t even believe these, T. They are beyond all.
thats how I feel, just like ella, you are a friend first and photographer/blog keeper second, and you are a fabulous photographer of love
I’ve been reading your blog and admiring your photos for years. So it was incredibly fun to click on your website and find myself looking at a photo shoot done in my own neighborhood! (Meatpacking District.) Places I’ve been a million times, seeing your take on it. So cool, enjoyed that a lot!
Wow! You ROCK! These photos are phenomenal!!!!
love every bit of this session. beautiful work